Giants-Patriots and 4 Other Playoff Rematches We'd Love to See

Tis' the season.

No. I am not talking about Christmas (although Christmas is almost two weeks away, for those of you who still haven't finished their shopping yet).

As December rolls by, and January 2011 gets ever closer, there is only one topic up for discussion: the NFL Playoffs.

Even though there are still four weeks of the regular season to be played, the contenders are starting to make their push toward dominance, and the pretenders are slowly fading in the background.  Some teams that no one expected to be in the playoffs will emerge (Tampa Bay? Kansas City?) and a perennial favorite will be on the outside looking in (Indianapolis anyone?).

With that in mind, here are four potential rematches of NFL Playoff and Super Bowl History many people have been waiting for:

5. Baltimore Ravens Vs. New England Patriots: 2009 AFC Wild Card Rematch

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NASHVILLE, TN - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens throws the ball in the second half against the Tennessee Titans during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at LP Field in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy

This has the makings of the next big rivalry in the NFL, a la the Colts-Patriots in years past.

It all started during Week 3 of the 2009 season, when Tom Brady and host New England would escape with a 27-21 win.  After the game, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, as he has been apt to do at times, accused the refs of giving the game to their opponent.  More specifically, he was referring to a personal foul called on fellow teammate Terrell Suggs as he fell into the legs of Tom Brady during the waning moments of the fourth quarter, giving the Patriots an extra first down.  The Patriots would go on to win the game during that same possession.

Fast forward to the Wild Card round of the 2009 AFC playoffs, in which Baltimore would again travel to Foxboro to face the Patriots.  Ravens running back Ray Rice would set the tone early, running for an 83 yard touchdown on the game's opening possession.  The Ravens would eventually hand Tom Brady his first ever playoff loss at home, 33-14, behind Rice's stellar performance (159 yds, 2TDs) and a defense that forced Brady into three interceptions.

These teams have already met this season, with the Patriots winning another thriller, 23-20 in overtime. 

The Patriots, at 10-2, are first in their division and looking to secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs with wins in the next few weeks.  The Ravens, after losing Sunday night to the Steelers, are just looking to keep pace in the AFC North.

The most likely scenario that sees a rematch of these to teams is in the 2010 divisional round, with Baltimore again traveling to New England.  New England would love to prove to everyone that last year's loss was just a fluke, while the Ravens would like nothing better than to knock the Patriots out of the playoffs again.  Interesting indeed.

4. Chicago Bears Vs. New Orleans Saints: 2007 NFC Championship Rematch

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DETROIT - DECEMBER 05: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears scrambles for a first down during the fourth quarter of the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on December 5, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. The Bears defeated the Lions 24-20. (Photo by Leo

The 2007 NFC Championship had many storylines.  The Bears defense, led by linebacker Brian Urlacher, evoked memories of the '85 Bears and had fans in Chicago once again talking Super Bowl Shuffle.

The New Orleans Saints, led by quarterback Drew Brees, were looking for redemption.  Not for any loss the team had suffered, but for the redemption of a city.  The city of New Orleans, ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, now had hope.  Hope the Saints, their second family, could win it all.

The homefield Bears would eventually prevail over the Saints, in what was a cold, snowy and windy day in Chicago.  And while the Bears would go on to lose to the Colts in Super Bowl XLI, both teams served notice to the league that they were back.

Three years later, these teams have a chance to meet in the playoffs again, although much has changed since that last meeting.

The Bears offense looks a lot different, with quarterback Kyle Orton traded to the Denver Broncos in exchange for quarterback Jay Cutler.  While there have been many who are critical of Cutler, this season he has led the team to an NFC North best 9-3 thus far.  Third-year running back Matt Forte takes over the role once occupied by Thomas Jones.  Forte has almost 750 yards rushing on the season and has added 389 yards receiving to Chicago's offense.

The Bears defense is still led by Brian Urlacher, but the offseason acquisition of defensive end Julius Peppers has given this unit some extra teeth.

The New Orleans Saints, on the other hand, appear to have found redemption.  Last season, Brees led the Saints to the franchise's first ever Super Bowl.  And despite the early season struggles the team has had, New Orleans appears ready to make another playoff run.

Questions still remain for these teams, however.

For the Bears: Can Jay Cutler actually lead Chicago deep into the playoffs?

For the Saints: Can New Orleans pull off a Super Bowl repeat?

3. Pittsburgh Steelers Vs. Indianapolis Colts: 2006 AFC Divisional Rematch

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DENVER - JANUARY 22: Casey Hampton #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is seen on the field against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Championship Game January 22, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. The Steelers won 34-17. (Photo by Andy

This game will always be remembered as how it played out for more than who won.  A Jerome Bettis fumble seemingly clinched the game for the Colts, while a Ben Roethlisberger tackle would help lead the Steelers to a victory on the way to their fifth Super Bowl.

This season, however, survival seems to be the key phrase for both of these teams.

The Colts, at 7-6, remain a half game behind the Jags and are dangerously close to falling victim to the Super Bowl hangover syndrome.  The Colts have been injured this season, to be sure, but Peyton Manning doesn't quite seem himself, either.

The Steelers had to open the season without their offensive leader, Ben Roethlisberger.  The Steelers would do fine in his absence (going 3-1) and at 9-3 are tied for the second best record in the AFC.

This rematch might seem like a remote possibility now, given the uphill battle Manning and the Colts face, but, if I have learned one thing about the NFL, it's to never count Peyton Manning out.

Should these teams face each other this year, it will be interesting to see if they can put together the same theatrics as that fateful day in 2006.

2. New England Patriots Vs. New York Giants: Super Bowl XLII Rematch

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: David Tyree #85 of the New York Giants catches a 32-yard pass from Eli Manning #10 as Rodney Harrison #37 of the New England Patriots comes down on him in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the Univer

18-1.  That's all you seem to hear about these days whenever someone mentions Super Bowl XLII.

Not that the Giants had to win each of their playoff games on the road in order to even make the Super Bowl.

Not that Eli Manning became the second Manning to ever win the Super Bowl.

Not even that the Giants won the Super Bowl despite Ronde Barber's twin brother, Tiki, announcing his retirement, prior to the start of the season.

No, Super Bowl XLII will forever be remembered as the game that prevented the greatest show on turf, the New England Patriots, from accomplishing something no team has ever done: 19-0.  Mercury Morris and the 1972 Dolphins are still smiling, and rightfully so.  At 17-0, his team is the only one in NFL history to ever finish a season undefeated.

At 10-2, the Patriots are owners of the league's best record and looking almost as good as they did that historic season.  Tom Brady doesn't even seem to miss Randy Moss; in fact, he appears to be better now that Moss is gone and he has been reunited with teammate Deion Branch.

The Giants, at 8-4, are tied atop the NFC East.  However, with the emergence of Michael Vick and the Eagles, and the freefall of the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, no one seems to be talking about the Giants.

So, could Super Bowl XLV see a Giant rematch?  Only time will tell.

1. New England Patriots Vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Super Bowl XXIX Rematch

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The Philadelphia Eagles Brian Westbrook #36 and Greg Lewis #83 celebrate during Super Bowl XXXIX between the Eagles and the New England Patriots at Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on February 6, 2005. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

The Eagles were so close. They had all-pro Donovan McNabb at quarterback, all-pro Terrell Owens at wide receiver and a vaunted defense.  They had even battled through a myriad of injuries to get to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles almost pulled this one out.  But it wasn't to be.  Instead, the Patriots would win what would turn out to be an epic battle, 24-21, and, with their third Super Bowl in four years, many people would call this team a dynasty.

But the Patriots have not won another Super Bowl since.  In fact, they have only reached the Super Bowl once since winning their last one, that being the thrilling 4th quarter loss to the Giants previously mentioned.

The Patriots are hungry for another ring.  So hungry in fact that they have brought back the MVP of Super Bowl XXXIX, Deion Branch, to help them get there again.

The Eagles, on the other hand, are another vastly different team.  Yes, they may have another all-pro QB under center, but he goes by the name of Michael Vick, not Donovan McNabb.  And yes, they have another all-pro wide receiver, but Desean Jackson doesn't appear to be nearly the diva that Terrell Owens was.

The way these two teams have been playing, this one seems like it's destined to happen.  And if the Eagles win the rematch, what does that say about Donovan and T.O?